3 - Penalty

*****TRIGGER WARNING!

There is no rape in this chapter but may trigger some readers, please read at your own discretion.*****

Katie's POV

Trying to shackle myself away from his grasp, I wiggled my wrist with all my might.

"What do you think you're doing!?" I shrieked and tried to yell for help. As expected, no one came. Maybe he's the boss or manager here.

"I'll tell Alpha Fredrick!" I taunted, and he just scoffed.

"As if your father would give a damn," he uttered, continuing to drag me away. I try to pull myself back and get away once more, but he just grips me even tighter. He was dead-on-serious about dragging me into the forest. 

I look ahead, and it is the entrance to the woods. The other woods, not the prohibited forest. With a sense of relief, I breathed a sigh. At least I won't be seeing that tiny, creepy monster again. A flash of memories flooded me. I wanted to indulge them, but then he pulled with so much force. Thus, my face touches his shoulders. I see him smirk. "You are too excited, honey."

I glared at him and tried to punch his smug face with my free hand, but he caught it. He twisted it slightly, causing me to groan in pain. He is using his wolf's strength. 

"What is your deal!?" I tried to reason out.

"You are looking for a temporary mate?" he queried as we halted.

We have already arrived at the woods, and his disgusting hand is now on my arm. I tried to use my free hand again to escape, but he held it and pulled me to him. His stinky breath smells like booze, and his teeth are as yellow as a rotten banana.

"I can be your temporary mate," he said, and I honestly wanted to barf. He looked at me with lecherous stares.

"I'd rather die!" I yelled and used my knee to strike his balls. He grunted, and when he let go of my arm, I instantly ran away.

After successfully exiting the woods, my feet continue to stretch their way back to where there are lots of people. He can't possibly do what he wants when we're in public. I silently cursed when he passed by me rather quickly and stopped in front of me. He pushed my shoulders. I lost my balance from the acceleration as I was running with all my might. He was about to jump on me, but we heard a loud blare.

"Stop you motherfucker!" Khalid's voice loomed over the area. The man instinctively cocked a bow. Khalid punched him so hard that he landed on the ground.

"Are you okay, Katie?" He looked at me anxiously as he offered his hand. His voice slightly trembles in fear. Another memory flooded, and that was when Luna Kathrina offered her hand. Closing my eyes to erase the thoughts away, I held Khalid's hand as he helped me stand up. 

"I'm fine, Khalid," I assured him, and he just nodded. But he grabbed the man's shirt and forced him to follow Khalid. I just tailed them behind as Jessica went to my side to comfort me.

After walking for minutes, we arrived at the Alpha's office. I held on to Jessica's hand tightly, and she just did the same to assure me that everything was going to be okay. Although I know it is going to be far from okay. Khalid was so mad that he kicked the male omega on the ground once we entered.

Scrunching his forehead, Alpha Fredrick looked from me to the man and then to Khalid.

"What is this?" he boredly questioned.

"He tried to harass Katie!" Khalid just straight-up answered. I saw Alpha Fredrick's jaw tighten. It was so subtle that I think I was imagining things. Luna Kathrina was nowhere to be found. I think she's away on a mission. Again. She had been absent from her Luna duties these past few days. Or has it been years?

"Is this true, Rowan?" Alpha Fredrick asked with a dark tone. That surprised me. Since when does he care?

"Male forcing themselves on women is forbidden no matter what the circumstances are, Katie."

Jessica softly whispered, as if she had read my mind. I quietly nodded and thanked the Moon Goddess. At least in this case, Alpha Fredrick is still fair. I hope..

"Alpha! Please let me explain! Katie wants me too! It was concensual! Ask her!" He protested, and my eyebrows flew upward. What is this nonsense he's spouting!? I want to argue with him, but that would not get me a good rep. So I just waited for my tirn to speak. Alpha Fredrick glanced at me and nodded. I showed him my respect and offered a curt bow. "It is true that I am finding a temporary mate, Alpha. You already know of this, But I never wanted him to touch me."

As calmly as I could, words came out of my mouth. Explaining the whole situation that transpired. The Beta went to the workhouse and asked the witnesses. Although none of them spoke the truth, Rowan smiled creepily at me, as if he had already won.

Alpha Fredrick perched his head on his hands. He thought about the whole incident very deeply. With a clear voice, he spoke, "Based on the witnesses, Rowan just wanted to offer help to Katie. Although I cannot just ignore his actions. He tried to harass a she-wolf, and that is still against our pack rules.."

He paused for a moment and peered at me. I didn't notice that I was already holding my breath. All of us were anticipating his final verdict..

"His pay will be cut for six months' worth. And a two-hour time in the pack's jailhouse," he voiced out with authority. I stared at my so-called father, and my jaw dropped. Is he serious!? And here I thought he softened up. As if a maniac male wolf will ever learn his lesson with just that!?! 

Is that even a punishment? No humiliating him in public!? No threats or scaring him?! No going to the prohibited forest!?

I inhaled a sharp breath. Of course not. He hasn't laid his hands on me. So ironically, it is not even sexual harassment in their eyes. Just physical abuse. I facepalmed. They could just dismiss it as mere bullying among omegas.

Khalid was about to protest, but I stopped him. Things will just get worse if he tries to probe and ask for more. It is his succession ceremony in just a few years, and I'm afraid Alpha Fredrick will use that against us. The wolfguards held Rowan and moved him to the jailhouse. Before he left, he looked at me and mouthed, "See you later."

That gave me shivers, but I just disregarded him. All of us were dismissed, and Khalid punched a tree trunk once we were outside.

"Poor tree," I stated, and seriously apologized to the trunk. I even caressed the part where Khalid punched. He looked at me like I was crazy. Jessica tried her best not to laugh because her mate is so angry right now.

"Come on, Khalid. Calm down. Don't exert your anger on a tree," I pointed out. He exhaled deeply while taking a handful of his hair in anger. I felt Jessica release her soothing pheromones. Just felt, not smelled. I still haven't wolfed out yet. But it is still a mystery; me feeling pheromones. Like an instinct. And there's this voice in my head, as if trying to reach out to me.

Khalid's mad and pissed at himself. He's been like this ever since that day. He constantly blamed himself. Repeatedly saying he was so weak that I was forced to go to the prohibited forest alone.

My body just unconsciously wrapped him in my arms. I tapped his shoulders and silently consoled him. He breathed in and out. Once he calmed down, I let go of him. I tapped his cheek and said, "I need to go to work now. It's almost my shift."

"What!? But it is almost dusk!" He protested.

"Did you already forget 6:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. is my shift?" I chuckled and waved them goodbye. Leaving my poor brother pouting.

Making my way to the cabin first to take a quick bath. After changing my clothes, I just munched some berries and made haste to the furniture workhouse. Crimson Pack is the manufacturer of other packs for things like furniture and clothes. This pack is quite rich, but at a price. It is because our pack is the nearest to the prohibited forest. Like a shield in case something that lurks beyond might break out. After seeing that creature, I was sure something or someone lived there. I haven't told anyone about what I've seen. Afraid that once they search the forest, they'll vanish. I laughed at myself. Why the heck am I protecting the very pack that deems me unwanted?

Continuing my work as I shaped a chair, I took a peek at the clock. 1:57am. Three minutes to go, and I can already sleep. Feeling so excited as the clock finally strikes two o'clock in the morning. I stretched my arms and clocked out.

Heading home, I hopped from one place to another. Feeling so giddy that I can finally get a good night's sleep after an exhausting day. Only, it was short-lived as Rowan suddenly appeared out of the dark.